Over the last two years I have occasionally posted a Question of the Month soliciting sightings from people who believed that they have seen a mountain lion in Pennsylvania or in other areas in the mid-Atlantic states. Late-stage signs of CWD-infected animals include an extreme loss of body condition; excessive drinking, urination, salivation and drooling; and behavioral and neurologic changes such as repetitive walking patterns, droopy ears, a wide-based stance, and listlessness. Except for Florida, the eastern mountain lion is believed to have extricated from the east coast by 1900. Thousands of deer. The head of the puma is small in comparision to a house cat when compared to the entire body. An important goal of the propagation program is to maximize recreational opportunities and harvest rates on stocked pheasants (return on hunter investment). The animal could not be a wild mountain lion, because "there are no wild mountain lions in Pennsylvania." This was the approach of the PGC until a farmer named Roger saw a mountain lion, along with several other people on his remote farm, during a large outdoor party -- a party which included a big roast pig barbeque, near the edge of a forest. Can I use trail cameras on state game lands? In July and August I received seven different reports, and everyone involved had done a search of some type to compare images of bobcats and pumas. Through rigorous scientific process, biologists manage and track population trends and harvest very closely each year to inform management decisions while game wardens work tirelessly to enforce the laws and regulations on trapping. See also: As you can see from the above images it is very difficult to confuse the two if you have a good view. This can lead to property damage, or worse, dangerous human-bear interactions. Since 2004, when scientists found a dead cougar on train tracks in northern Oklahoma, they have recovered more than 100additional cougar bodies east of the Rocky Mountains. License buyers must first successfully complete a Hunter-Trapper Education Course. Smoke will be visible during the burn and might be seen for many miles. As the latest hoaxed photo of a mountain lion supposedly killed in Pennsylvania died a slow death on Facebook yesterday, the head of an organization tracking the eastern movements of the big cats was preparing a presentation for a Pennsylvania audience tonight. No. Although it's not evidence that they do not. The American Marten is a native species to Pennsylvania that was extirpated 100 years ago due to deforestation and unregulated harvest. More about mountain lions in Pennsylvania: If you purchase a product or register for an account through one of the links on our site, we may receive compensation. Most general and add-on licenses are available in-store. What Did Megalodon Eat? Penn's Woods is our state's nickname due to our forests, which blanket more than 60 percent of our state, and more than 92 percent of our state game lands. Why cant Pennsylvanias Spring Gobbler season open earlier? Goggling Eastern Puma brings up other web sites, however, with varying levels of professionalism or credibility. Is a mountain lion bigger than a bobcat? I asked our Game officials about evidence, and they cite no road kills. All of the above are Mountain Lions, or Pumas, or Cougars. If it was NOT, and it is a yard away, it is significantly larger. However, evidence of attempt to tag would be harder to prove if the tag was placed around the antler. This one streaked across the road in the early evening, and fortunately, it stopped when it climbed a hill on the other side where I had another view from my side of the truck. But they'd need the cooperation of the Pennsylvania Game Commission and, for now, that's a non-starter. Remember, this one was photographed in Arizona in good puma country, although this was the first one I've recorded there. Hunting is legal, but closely regulated by the state. Where can I find Depth of Field reference charts? I've done this myself once, in Tanzania, when I saw a black house cat that I thought was a black leopard! The new process is simpler, since the same distribution rules now apply to all WMUs, and it maintains fair and equitable distribution. *Please note: Our state game wardens are responsible for many things, from protecting wildlife, to enforcing hunting regulations, conducting search and rescues, assisting with biological research, educating the public about wildlife and more. Regularly cleaning and removing grease, fat, and food particles from outside grills. With that, Pennsylvanias seasons and management strategies must account for high harvest potential and possible disturbance of hens given the number of hunters. Elk, Pa.s largest wild animal, have become a tourism boom in the northwest part of the state. There are many benefits to regulated trapping, but here are just a few examples: Trapping is used to protect endangered and threatened species during critical times of the year such as sea turtle nests or ground nesting birds like the piping plover. In all those hours I never saw a coyote, bear, or bobcat, and yet all live in my area. Click here for more information about HuntFishPA. Ticks are inactive and temperatures are just right for running the dogs. The Pennsylvania Board of Game Commissioners is comprised of eight board members, each selected by the governor, and confirmed by majority vote of the state Senate. For example, one man I interviewed said he saw a 'black' puma, and this should disqualify his sighting as a black puma has never been recorded. More Questions about Pumas in Pennsylvania California state law requires the California Department of Fish and Wildlife to issue permits to kill mountain lions that attack domestic animals. A successful bear hunter must take the bear, along with his or her hunting license and bear license, to a Pennsylvania Game Commission check station within 24 hours of the harvest. The story behind our new web site. But then it's a really nice-sized meal as well, so it's an efficient package of meat that can feed them for about a week, as opposed to hunting smaller prey like beavers or rabbits.". Who should I call with a wildlife-related question in my local area? Those interested in submitting their thoughts and opinions on an issue related to hunting and wildlife in the state are encouraged to email the agency at How will I know where and when burns are planned? But a mix of bounty hunting . In an effort to expand hunting opportunities, in 2021, Sunday hunting is only open on the following dates for the following species. A high hen-to-gobbler ratio is also not a problem for turkey populations. License fees cannot be increased without approval of the General Assembly. Public health officials are warning hunters to cook their bear and cougar meat well after 10 Idahoans contracted a rare strain of trichinosis from tainted cougar jerky. Heres how The Express-Times reported the unusual story on Sept. 26, 1996. Well, right behind our property lies a mountain ridge, one of several that makes a continuous forest that extends, with little interruption, for scores of miles in three directions. How can I replace my Hunter-Trapper Education card? Are there Mountain Lions (Pumas, Cougars) in Pennsylvania and the Mid-Atlantic States? No big game harvest tags will be issued to mentored hunters who are under 7 years old at the time of application. They were definitely cat tracks, no claws at all, and were crisply imprinted in an inch of snow. But in recent years, the animals have been moving east. Secondary recreational uses are also permitted in accordance with the Game Commission's regulations. Whats the point of hunting mountain lions? Of the deer harvested in the 2020-21 hunting seasons approximately 174,780 were antlered and 260,400 were antlerless deer. Hopefully, we'll see the real thing. Big bulls, as well as a huntable population of elk, can be found in each of the 14 zones. The wild turkey feeds primarily on acorns, waste grain, insects and grasses, which are unlikely to be depleted at the same time. Is a mountain lion bigger than a bobcat? He said the idea of having mountain lions in Pennsylvania again - they roamed the state as late as the early 1800s - seems nice at first, but would never . If you encounter a dead or injured animal that you suspect is a victim of a wildlife crime, please report the instance to the Operation Game Thiefs toll-free hotline 24 hours a day, seven days a week, 365 days a year at 1-888-PGC-8001 or fill out an online form at http://bit.ly/PGCOGT. Mountain lions have appeared in Pennsylvania in the past 75 years, but when they're captured, it's quickly determined they were formerly exotic pets or show animals. What Is Good About Penn State University? But they are less shy of pets and livestock, and they don't necessarily stay in the woods, either. Hunters overwhelmingly pass on jakes, further enhancing their survival to fill the place of older toms removed after breeding each year with minimal impact to the population. I don't believe someone's imagination could stretch a six inch long tail to three feet! It also allows hunters who submitted their deer for CWD testing to directly access results online. How can I buy a bear hunting license? I had three cameras positioned, so had a cat visited, I'd have had it. Wildlife need varied, natural food as part of their normal diet. Other crew members are assigned to monitor the weather and smoke conditions throughout the day to ensure the fire stays within its prescription and is achieving the desired ecological effects. Read more here. The last native. I'm wondering, then, if the complete dismissal of sightings of Eastern pumas (other than the acknowledgement of released or escaped pets) isn't motivated by economics. A Rural Legend -- The Search For Pennsylvania Mountain Lions | Penn State University A recent rumor of a cougar killed by a vehicle on Interstate 80 attracted some attention at Penn State. ? The Pennsylvania Game Commissions website, mobile app and Hunting and Trapping Digest are all great resources when looking for information related to current hunting and trapping seasons and beg limits. 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